Clint Eastwood is a bit of a legend. His mere presence in a film is usually enough to give film fans an indication that they are about to watch something special. Despite being 78, he is still an incredibly hard working man, directing and acting in a number of classic films over the past few years. Whilst Gran Torino is not one of his best films, it is still well worth a look, especially as it will be his last appearance on the big screen.
In Gran Torino Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, an intolerant Vietnam veteran who slowly discovers that he has more in common with his Hmong neighbours than his own family. As Walt is clearly a racist, it is the cathartic process by which he comes to terms with this that drives the story and raises it to a level above most revenge dramas. Eastwood's low growling voice and intense stares still have the same potency they possessed when he appeared in A Fistful of Dollars back in the early sixties, and it is this which enables Walt to take control of almost any violent situation he encounters.
There was no doubt that Eastwood's performance would stand out, he is the only household name in a film full of unkown actors who find it difficult to shine. This is a strange choice as some of Clint's finest films; Mystic river and Unforgiven to name a few, were successful due to the brilliant casting of stars such as Morgan Freeman, Sean Penn and Gene Hackman, which could be an indication that Gran Torino was Clint's final attempt to win an Oscar for best actor.
Gran Torino is a highly enjoyable movie, at times funny, often moving and worth watching for Clint's performance alone. The Curious Case of Benjamin button and Slumdog millionaire may have won all the Oscars but this is a far more accomplished film, and i was surprised at the Academy's decision to ignore it in favour of Eastwood's other recent movie Changeling.
8/10
If you liked this film, you will also enjoy these:
Unforgiven
Dead Man's Shoes
Mystic River
A History Of Violence
Saturday 28 February 2009
Sunday 22 February 2009
Forgotten Classics - The Changeling
The Changeling
Not to be mistaken for Clint Eastwood's recent oscar nominated film 'Changeling', which is also quite good, this is a review of the horror film from the 80s which shares a similar name.
I used to be terrified of horror movies when i was younger, i think everyone can remember their first glimpse of a scary film, but gradually as i grew up horror films no longer had the same effect on me. It now takes a hell of a lot for me to be scared by a movie and The changeling took me completely by surprise. I had no idea what to expect, i had just heard that it was a forgotten classic of the genre and it truly is an extremely creepy and unsettling horror. Unlike modern movies that rely on gore and cheap scares to entertain their audiences, the changeling showcases how an emphasis on psychological scares can be far more terrifying for the viewer.
As well as being a disturbing horror, the changeling is a clever mystery film with George C. Scott playing the role of John Russell, a distraught man who has recently lost his wife and only child. Attempting to escape the trauma and leave the past behind him John moves into a new house but in doing so is confronted by a spirit that constantly plagues the house with strange disturbances. I do not want to reveal too much of the plot but it is a very intelligent movie, with a lot to offer for the avid horror fan. This is an exceptional film, genuinely unsettling and thoroughly entertaining throughout. Not many people have heard of the changeling which is a shame, i would rate it as one of the scariest films i have ever seen, not to be missed.
9/10
Here's the trailer, although i tend to find that trailers never age as well as the films they promote. This trailer makes the changeling look as scary as the notebook. Take my word for it though, watch this film alone in the dark and you will probably have to change your underwear afterwards.
If you liked this film, you will also enjoy these:
Don't Look Now
Poltergeist
The Orphanage
The Shining
Not to be mistaken for Clint Eastwood's recent oscar nominated film 'Changeling', which is also quite good, this is a review of the horror film from the 80s which shares a similar name.
I used to be terrified of horror movies when i was younger, i think everyone can remember their first glimpse of a scary film, but gradually as i grew up horror films no longer had the same effect on me. It now takes a hell of a lot for me to be scared by a movie and The changeling took me completely by surprise. I had no idea what to expect, i had just heard that it was a forgotten classic of the genre and it truly is an extremely creepy and unsettling horror. Unlike modern movies that rely on gore and cheap scares to entertain their audiences, the changeling showcases how an emphasis on psychological scares can be far more terrifying for the viewer.
As well as being a disturbing horror, the changeling is a clever mystery film with George C. Scott playing the role of John Russell, a distraught man who has recently lost his wife and only child. Attempting to escape the trauma and leave the past behind him John moves into a new house but in doing so is confronted by a spirit that constantly plagues the house with strange disturbances. I do not want to reveal too much of the plot but it is a very intelligent movie, with a lot to offer for the avid horror fan. This is an exceptional film, genuinely unsettling and thoroughly entertaining throughout. Not many people have heard of the changeling which is a shame, i would rate it as one of the scariest films i have ever seen, not to be missed.
9/10
Here's the trailer, although i tend to find that trailers never age as well as the films they promote. This trailer makes the changeling look as scary as the notebook. Take my word for it though, watch this film alone in the dark and you will probably have to change your underwear afterwards.
If you liked this film, you will also enjoy these:
Don't Look Now
Poltergeist
The Orphanage
The Shining
Upcoming Films
Until i get the time to get some film reviews written here are a few trailers for you to check out.
The first trailer is for an animated film called 9 which is being produced by Tim Burton. It's based on a short that was nominated for an oscar in 2006 which you can see in its entirety on youtube and is well worth checking out. Not only does the trailer look brilliant it features music from one of my favourite bands Coheed and Cambria so i cannot wait to see this film:
The second trailer is for a Korean film; The good, the bad, the weird. It's the latest film from Ji-woon Kim who horror fans will know as the director behind A tale of two sisters. Although this film won't be having a big release in the UK, it is showing in Stoke film theatre so i will soon be able to upload a review and let you know if it is as entertaining as the trailer looks:
Everyone gets excited when there's a new Tarantino film on the way, and the trailer for Inglourious Basterds looks promising. Brad Pitt is a hugely talented actor but i'm also really looking forward to seeing Michael Fassbender on the big screen again after his fantastic performance in Hunger. Anyway, here's the trailer:
The first trailer is for an animated film called 9 which is being produced by Tim Burton. It's based on a short that was nominated for an oscar in 2006 which you can see in its entirety on youtube and is well worth checking out. Not only does the trailer look brilliant it features music from one of my favourite bands Coheed and Cambria so i cannot wait to see this film:
The second trailer is for a Korean film; The good, the bad, the weird. It's the latest film from Ji-woon Kim who horror fans will know as the director behind A tale of two sisters. Although this film won't be having a big release in the UK, it is showing in Stoke film theatre so i will soon be able to upload a review and let you know if it is as entertaining as the trailer looks:
Everyone gets excited when there's a new Tarantino film on the way, and the trailer for Inglourious Basterds looks promising. Brad Pitt is a hugely talented actor but i'm also really looking forward to seeing Michael Fassbender on the big screen again after his fantastic performance in Hunger. Anyway, here's the trailer:
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